William W. Cook, 83, of Hanover, NH (formerly of Trenton), died on Monday, May 15, 2017 at the Genesis Center in Lebanon, NH. Born and educated in Trenton, Prof. Cook was a stellar student in the Trenton Public School System. He was the Valedictorian of his graduating class at Trenton State College, where he majored in English. Prof. Cook went on to teach English and Drama in the public school systems of Trenton and Princeton, NJ. He was the Israel Evans Professor of Oratory and Belles Lettres Emeritus at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, where he had served as chair of the Departments of English and African American Studies. Prof. Cook also served on several key governing councils and committees at the college, including the Committee Advisory to the President. He served as President, National Chair, and a founding leader of the National Council of Teachers of English, the Conference on College Communication and Composition, and the National Black Theater Conference, respectively. He also led the first years of the Mississippi Delta Teaching Project. In addition to earning a reputation for being one of the most effective educators of his generation, Prof. Cook was also an accomplished poet, author, and production director. His work touched on African American and ancient Greek and Roman poetry and also explored the intersections of music and poetry. Bill was widely known for talents as an illustrator and artist. He had a satiric eye and a clever pen. Son of the late Rev. Cleve Cook, Sr. and Frances Cook, Bill is survived by many nieces and nephews in and around Trenton, including his beloved sister Louise’s son, Leonard Watkins (and wife, Vera). Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 10:00 am at Union Baptist Church, 301 Pennington Ave., Trenton, NJ. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Calling hours will be held from 9 to 10 am at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Campbell Funeral Chapel, Trenton.

Published by The Trentonian from May 17 to May 18, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for William Cook

Sponsored by Campbell Funeral Chapel - Trenton.

10 Entries

Rip Light

October 18, 2017

Bill Cook was the most brilliant teacher I had at Princeton High School. My grades weren't good enough for the AP class, so I took African-American Lit - which was better for me in a lot of ways. I also remember him acting at the Youth Center, in Lonnie Elder's In the Wine Time. He was super in that too. Thank you, Mr. Cook. I remember you.

Kate Kennedy

May 24, 2017

For two years I had the honor and pleasure of having Mr. Cook for my English teacher at Princeton High. He was a major influence on my becoming a writer and a teacher. I'm so sorry for the family's loss. He was funny, smart, so learned and inspiring. I'm sad tonight but grateful that I knew him. A great man.

John McPhaul

May 21, 2017

Professor Cook was my favorite teacher a Dartmouth College. I send my condolences to his family and to the entire Dartmouth community.

Betty Martin

May 20, 2017

It was an honor to get to know Professor Cook over the past 14 months. I enjoyed the time we spent together and will always remember his wit and wisdom.

Susan White

May 20, 2017

I am very sorry to hear of Bill Cook's passing- I knew him at both Princeton High School ( Our English class reading list was fantastic and eye-opening, but I'll never forget the day that a student started their class presentation by asking us to draw a picture of God. I left my page mostly blank , but Bill, wedged into a student desk right behind me, drew a very scary , all -powerful being. And he was a great artist. We wentbtobDartmouth at the same time and he quickly became one of the most popular professors for all the right reasons. RIP

Robin Watts

May 20, 2017

Sending my condolences to Mr. Cook's entire family

Don Gilpin

May 19, 2017

Bill Cook was my supervising teacher when I student taught at Princeton High School in 1972. He was the best mentor and most inspiring role model I could possibly have worked with--the best teacher I ever knew. I went on to teach English for 41 years. I probably wouldn't have done that without Cook's inspiration and wisdom. There was hardly a day in the classroom when I didn't ask myself: what would Cook have to say about this passage? or how would Cook handle these students or this situation? Thank you, Bill! Your legacy lives on!

Rachel Ciprotti

May 18, 2017

As an English major at Dartmouth College in the early 2000's, Professor Cook was a legendary figure on campus. He touched so many thousands of people. He will be greatly missed.

Jacqueline Swain

May 18, 2017

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Professor William Cook. Back in the early 70s he was an instructor in a special teacher certification program here at Princeton University called the Intern Teacher Program. I can say without hesitation, he was like the Pied Piper. Where ever he went there was always a trail of student behind him. Students would cut other classes here at Princeton, but nobody ever seemed to cut his classes. When he went off to Dartmouth, he left some pretty brokenhearted English students in our Program. I did not know him when he taught at Princeton High School but his effect on them, from what I hear, was pretty much the same.

He was a warm, very funny, very brilliant educator, and a role model extraordinaire.He shall be missed!

Art Gertel

May 18, 2017

As a student of Bill Cook at Princeton High School in the 1970s, I was provided a window into a different cultural/racial experience through assignments of Ellison's Invisible Man (remains one of the most important books in my library), Langston Hughes' Best of Simple, and stage productions like Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun. Role model, indeed! Cool without trying. He was someone whose impact has stayed with me throughout my life, and I am grateful to him for broadening my perspective. Thank you, Mr. Cook.

Art Gertel (PHS '71)

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results